National Travel and Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week - celebrated May 6-12, 2018 - spotlights the accomplishments and contributions of the travel and tourism industry. Locally, the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Shreveport, Bossier City, Caddo Parish, and Bossier Parish to potential visitors. 

Tourism boosts the local economy by driving sales tax and hotel motel tax. In 2016, visitor spending in Caddo and Bossier Parishes totaled $680 million and state and local tax revenue generated by tourism totaled $87.21 million, according to a report prepared by the University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. 

Here are just a few more Shreveport-Bossier tourism numbers:

• 2,269,000 people visited Shreveport-Bossier in 2016
• Average visitor age is 51
• About 75% of visitors come for leisure purposes
• Most visitors to Shreveport-Bossier travel by automobile
• Shreveport-Bossier boasts five Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events: Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Parade, Mudbug Madness Festival, Let the Good Times Roll Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and the State Fair of Louisiana 
• Shreveport-Bossier is home to two American Bus Association Top 100 Events: Red River Mardi Gras Bash and Mudbug Madness Festival

Local celebrations of National Travel and Tourism Week include the Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier promotion (May 1-31) and P.R.I.D.E. Awards (May 10). 

P.R.I.D.E. stands for Proud Residents Involved in Developing Our Economy. This year's event will take place at Sam's Town Casino and Hotel and is sponsored by the Shreveport-Bossier Hotel and Lodging Association. It is an opportunity the hospitality industry employees who go above and beyond in their jobs every day. 

NTTW'18: Travel Then and Now from U.S. Travel on Vimeo.